Erika June Christina Laing

WORK

I hold employed positions at two locations, Carnegie Mellon University and UPMC. At CMU I work in the Machine Learning department with Dr.Tom Mitchell, conducting Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) neuroimaging studies of language and knowledge representation in the brain. At UPMC I work on developing the same neuroimaging method (MEG) as a tool for pre-surgical mapping of somatosensory, motor, auditory, visual, and language functions for tumor and epilepsy patients undergoing neurosurgery. In addition, I am completing my Ph.D. in psychology studying the neural basis of language processing under the advisorship of Dr. Charles Perfetti at the University of Pittsburgh and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition.

Being a musician and songwriter keeps me balanced. In Faithful Sinners, I utilize the musical saw as a primary melodic contributor to the song, with purposeful lyrics and progressive folk song structures. Faithful Sinners is a collaborative project with Xander Hendrickson, who plays guitar. Check it out! Faithful Sinners Website

I am part of an exciting second project called Working Breed, a 5-piece group that incorporates lush 3-part harmonies (2 chicks and a dude) with myriad instruments. Genre ranges from country-leaning indie to funky weird soulful, and I get to go nuts with my trombone, synths, vocals, and saw. VERY EXCITING! Please check it out too! Working Breed Website

Finally, I have played and sung freelance as a studio musician for several projects, including Pete Bush and the Hoi Polloi, Billy Keith, and Summer Lungs, and participated in many exciting tribute shows, including Portishead, B-52's, and a live rendition of the super-cool Zaireeka album from The Flaming Lips. If you ever have need of a saw, trombone, harmonies, or vocal freakouts, contact me! anythingyoulike@erikalaing.com